Reviews

Case Study by Graeme Macrae Burnet

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gregz_newdorkreviewofbooks's review against another edition

4.0

4.5

"I am large, I contain multitudes."

How do you know your true self? What if you have several selves?

Centered on a disgraced and narcissistic pseudo-psychiatrist in 1960s London and a young woman who becomes his patient to investigate what happened to her older sister, this unique, thrilling novel is about personal identity, mental health and depression, and pop science.

I loved it. This was a Booker Longlist pick and an under-the-radar selection on the NY Times 100 Notable Books, AND I got to hear Burnet read at an event a few weeks ago. He's as fantastic in person as the writing in this inventive fiction. Highly recommended.

oualia's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Really interesting piece of metafiction, loved the blurring of boundaries (something Burnet is famous for) and loved the satirical look at anti psychiatry. As it progresses it becomes clearer that perhaps Braithwaite wasn’t as completely quack as it seems at the beginning. To be honest I found the narrator arc a little unfinished or rushed, the postscript was fun but did little to sate or wrap up her arc. Like “oooh it was all a lie” is kinda. Hmm. Esp as GMB relied so heavily (to the novel’s advantage!) on show not tell prior. I think it sort of trailed off at the end. Nonetheless fun and I’ll def read another GMB

mayaschnake's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

katiilahti's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

What is identity, and can it consist of multiple personas? These are the questions at the heart of ‘Case Study’, one of the most unusual books I have ever read. A fictional author, identified only as GMB, is sent a series of notebooks detailing the attempts of a young woman to uncover the truth behind her sister Veronica’s su*cide. She suspects her sister’s therapist, Collins Braithwaite, of having driven Veronica to end her life. GMB pieces together her story, all the while interjecting the tale with a fictional biography of Braithwaite.

‘Case Study’ is a darkly humorous page-turner that reflects on identity and the many facets of being. As a reader, you never quite know where you stand; truths are revealed through untruths and every twist poses new questions. The central story is narrated in a unique voice and makes for a thoroughly engaging read. The passages on Braithwaite, too, are compelling and add immensely to the tale as a whole. I greatly enjoyed reading this book and found it hard to put down. It is easy to see why it was longlisted for the Booker Prize and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a clever, thought-provoking read.